Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water

Brooke A. McPhail; Kelsey Froelich; Ronald L. Reimink; Patrick C. Hanington

doi:10.3390/pathogens11050565

journal article Open Access May 10, 2022

Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water

Brooke A. McPhail

Kelsey Froelich Ronald L. Reimink Patrick C. Hanington

Pathogens Vol. 11 No. 5 pp. 565 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/pathogens11050565

Abstract

Avian schistosomes are considered a public health nuisance due to their ability to cause swimmer’s itch when accidentally encountering humans rather than their intended avian hosts. Researchers have been monitoring their presence and abundance through snail collections and cercariometry. Cercariometry methods have evolved over the last several decades to detect individual schistosome species from a single water sample, simplifying the monitoring of these parasites. This methodological evolution coincides with the development of the field of environmental DNA (eDNA) where genetic material is extracted from environmental samples, rather than individual organisms. While there are some limitations with using molecular cercariometry, notably the cost and its inability to differentiate between life cycle stages, it substantially reduces the labor required to study trematode populations. It also can be used in complement with snail collections to understand the composition of avian schistosomes in an environment.

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Details

Published: May 10, 2022
Vol/Issue: 11(5)
Pages: 565
License: View

Authors

B

Brooke A. McPhail

School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada

K

Kelsey Froelich

School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA; Saint Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Dr., Saint Joseph, MI 49085, USA

R

Ronald L. Reimink

Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA; Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th St. Hope College, Holland, MI 49423, USA

P

Patrick C. Hanington

School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada

Funding

Alberta Innovates Award: 2018-05209

Cite This Article

Brooke A. McPhail, Kelsey Froelich, Ronald L. Reimink, et al. (2022). Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water. Pathogens, 11(5), 565. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11050565

Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water

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